After reading the clear and cogent letter and the district’s information about the alternative approval process (AAP) in the May 21 Saanich News (page A7), I set out to learn more about it and then to try to download a copy of the Elector Response Form. I started with the URL provided in the District of Saanich’s information box published on the same page.
Although I am very comfortable with computers, I was surprised and disappointed that neither the URL provided by Saanich, nor the FAQ about the AAP, nor the search box at the Saanich site provided a link to download the Elector Response Form.
I commend the Saanich person who responded promptly to my emailed inquiry about the link. He also answered a follow-up question about the apparent requirement in the Saanich information box, that if the form was to be returned by email, a “legible scanned copy” needed to be submitted. Turns out that either a legible scan or photograph would be accepted.
In such an important matter, instructions must be followed carefully. To avoid any other resident taking the “scanned” statement literally – and therefore possibly giving up -- the District of Saanich should publish an erratum in the newspaper.
Should the District of Saanich not provide an erratum to their original instruction regarding scanning, I wanted to do so here. This kind of problem feels like yet another impediment to participation that the district has put in front of electors who are not happy with having to actively reject, rather than to approve, a project. There have been so many instances in which needing to opt out, rather than to opt in, is no longer considered acceptable or fair.
C. Dulberg
Saanich
